Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils, which are tissues located on either side of the throat. Tonsillitis can be caused by bacteria or viruses. Tonsillitis most often occurs in children between the ages of 2 and 15.

Symptoms of tonsillitis

The symptoms of acute tonsillitis are fever, sore throat, painful or difficult swallowing, and tenderness of the lymph nodes located below the jaw. A child who has acute tonsillitis several times within one year is said to have chronic tonisillitis.

Treatment

Acute tonsillitis is most often treated with antibiotics, as well as over-the-counter pain medication. Often, a child with chronic tonsillitis will be recommended for a tonsillectomy, a surgery to remove the tonsils.